NEW DELHI: Afghanistan will play its first ever Test against India in 2019-2020, the final schedule for which will be worked out later.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreed to to host the country’s maiden Test match. On the other hand, it chose to cold-shoulder Pakistan in its latest Future Tours Programme (FTP) announced on Monday.
Afghanistan and Ireland earned Test status this June, realising their five-day cricket dream after impressive performances in ODIs and T20 Internationals.“Afghans were scheduled to play their first Test in 2019 versus Australia but considering the historic relationship between India and Afghanistan, we decided to host their first Test,” said BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary after the Special General Meeting here today.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chairman Atif Mashal tweeted, “@ACBofficials and @BCCI have agreed that Afghanistan will play its first Test against India. The exact date and venue of the match will be shared in a joint press conference in due course. I personally thank BCCI board for the decision.”
On the other hand, Pakistan, which has been demanding bilateral cricket with India, was ignored at the Special General Meeting which resolved to play more against the likes of Australia, South Africa and England. India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since 2012 due to political tensions between the two neighbours.
The BCCI has extended a helping hand to Afghanistan earlier as well, with the Afghan team hosting its home games in India, most recently the series against Ireland in Greater Noida.
Rashid Khan and Mohammed Nabi became the first two Afghanistan cricketers to be bought at the IPL auction earlier this year.
